AMARC in Beijing

Ancient China’s libertarian philosopher, Lao Tzu, once said: “a good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving”. In that spirit, three members of AMARC’s International Board – Steve Buckley, Mavic Cabrera Balleza and Ashish Sen – pitched up in Beijing this week, with a few friendly contacts and more than a few burning questions.

AMARC has no members in China. Broadcasting operates under strict state-party control and the Internet is famously guarded by the “Great Firewall” of blocks, filters and content monitors designed to remove material considered dangerous or subversive. At the same time communications in China is changing at a hectic pace, with economic liberalization, growth of the Internet and mobile phone, and increasing confidence of Chinese voices.

What prospects then for community broadcasting in China? What might community radio look like with Chinese characteristics? Who in China needs, demands or might benefit from community media? And who might champion its development in the future?

We set out to understand the context and trends in China for media development, to dialogue with media practitioners, communication scholars and experts, and to identify the prospects and opportunities for deepening AMARC engagement with China.

This is our Beijing Blog.